Walking in Faith: Actions Over Words

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, it's crucial to examine how we perceive and relate to God. Many of us, even as Christians, have reduced God to a mere spare tire, something we keep in the trunk of our lives, only to be taken out when things go flat. We want Him nearby, but not necessarily involved in our daily lives unless there's a crisis. Similarly, some treat God like a slot machine, hoping to pull the lever and receive blessings without acknowledging His desire for a genuine relationship with us. God created us for a relationship where He oversees us with a rule of ownership, and this requires us to place ourselves under His authority.

The true measure of fearing God is not found in our words or feelings but in our actions. It's about walking in His ways, demonstrating our reverence through our daily choices and movements. Fearing God is not just about religious conversation or speaking Christianese; it's about living a life that reflects His principles. Our feet, not just our lips, should reveal our commitment to Him. If we want to know whether we truly fear God, we must examine the direction in which our feet are moving. Are we walking in His ways, or are we merely talking about them?

Key Takeaways:

- God as a Spare Tire: Many people treat God like a spare tire, only turning to Him in times of crisis. This approach misses the essence of a genuine relationship with God, which requires His constant presence and involvement in our lives. We must strive to keep God at the center, not just in the trunk for emergencies. [00:13]

- God as a Slot Machine: Some view God as a slot machine, expecting blessings without commitment. This mindset overlooks the fact that God desires a relationship where He is acknowledged as the sovereign ruler of our lives. True blessings come from living under His authority. [00:30]

- Fearing God with Our Feet: Fearing God is demonstrated through our actions, not just our words. It's about walking in His ways and living a life that reflects His principles. Our feet should reveal our commitment to God, not just our lips. [01:08]

- Movement Over Mouth: The authenticity of our faith is shown in our movement, not merely in our mouth. It's easy to talk about fearing God, but the real test is whether our lives align with His ways. Our daily choices should reflect our reverence for Him. [01:26]

- Direction of Our Feet: To truly know if we fear God, we must examine the direction of our feet. Are we walking in His ways, or are we merely talking about them? Our actions should consistently demonstrate our commitment to living under His authority. [01:26]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - God as a Spare Tire
- [00:30] - God as a Slot Machine
- [00:50] - Relationship and Authority
- [01:08] - Fearing God with Our Feet
- [01:26] - Movement Over Mouth
- [01:26] - Direction of Our Feet

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Deuteronomy 10:12-13: "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? To fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good."
- James 2:17: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Observation Questions:
1. How does the sermon describe the way some people treat God like a spare tire? What does this metaphor suggest about their relationship with God? [00:13]
2. What does the sermon say about viewing God as a slot machine? How does this perspective affect one's faith and relationship with God? [00:30]
3. According to the sermon, what is the true measure of fearing God? How is this demonstrated in our daily lives? [01:08]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of our actions versus our words in demonstrating our faith? [01:26]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In Deuteronomy 10:12-13, what does it mean to "walk in obedience" to God, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on fearing God with our feet?
2. How does James 2:17's message about faith and action connect with the sermon’s point about the direction of our feet showing our commitment to God?
3. The sermon mentions that fearing God is not just about religious conversation. How might this challenge common perceptions of what it means to be a faithful Christian? [01:08]
4. What does the sermon imply about the consequences of treating God as a spare tire or slot machine in terms of our spiritual growth and relationship with Him? [00:30]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be treating God like a spare tire, only turning to Him in times of crisis? How can you work towards keeping Him at the center of your daily life? [00:13]
2. Consider your expectations of God. Do you find yourself treating Him like a slot machine, expecting blessings without commitment? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him? [00:30]
3. Examine the direction of your feet. Are your actions consistently demonstrating your commitment to living under God's authority? What changes can you make to align your daily choices with His principles? [01:26]
4. Think about your conversations and actions. How can you ensure that your faith is reflected more in your movement than just in your mouth? What practical steps can you take this week to live out your faith more authentically? [01:08]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to walk in God's ways. What is one tangible action you can take this week to move in the right direction?
6. How can you cultivate a habit of regularly examining the direction of your feet to ensure they are moving in alignment with God's ways? What tools or practices might help you in this process?
7. Reflect on a recent decision or action. Did it reflect a fear of God and a commitment to His ways? If not, what could you have done differently, and how can you apply this learning to future decisions?

Devotional

Day 1: God is Not a Spare Tire
In our spiritual journey, it's easy to treat God like a spare tire, only turning to Him in times of crisis. This mindset reduces God to a backup plan rather than the central figure in our lives. A genuine relationship with God requires His constant presence and involvement, not just during emergencies. By keeping God at the center, we acknowledge His sovereignty and invite Him into every aspect of our lives. This approach transforms our faith from a crisis-driven dependency to a daily walk with Him. [00:13]

Jeremiah 29:13-14 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."

Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you turned to God only in a moment of crisis. How can you begin to invite Him into your daily life, not just when things go wrong?


Day 2: God is Not a Slot Machine
Some people view God as a slot machine, expecting blessings without commitment. This perspective overlooks the essence of a relationship with God, where He is acknowledged as the sovereign ruler of our lives. True blessings come from living under His authority and recognizing His ownership over us. By shifting our mindset from seeking rewards to seeking a relationship, we align ourselves with His will and experience the fullness of His blessings. [00:30]

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (ESV): "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you approached God with a "what can I get" mentality. How can you shift your focus to building a genuine relationship with Him instead?


Day 3: Fearing God with Our Feet
Fearing God is demonstrated through our actions, not just our words. It's about walking in His ways and living a life that reflects His principles. Our feet should reveal our commitment to God, not just our lips. This means that our daily choices and movements should align with His teachings, showing our reverence for Him. By examining the direction of our feet, we can assess whether we are truly living in fear of the Lord. [01:08]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: Think about your daily routine. What is one specific action you can take today to ensure your feet are walking in God's ways?


Day 4: Movement Over Mouth
The authenticity of our faith is shown in our movement, not merely in our mouth. It's easy to talk about fearing God, but the real test is whether our lives align with His ways. Our daily choices should reflect our reverence for Him, demonstrating that our faith is more than just words. By prioritizing movement over mouth, we ensure that our actions speak louder than our declarations. [01:26]

James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where your actions do not match your words. What steps can you take to bring your actions in line with your professed beliefs?


Day 5: Direction of Our Feet
To truly know if we fear God, we must examine the direction of our feet. Are we walking in His ways, or are we merely talking about them? Our actions should consistently demonstrate our commitment to living under His authority. By focusing on the direction of our feet, we ensure that our lives are a testament to our faith and reverence for God. [01:26]

Proverbs 4:26-27 (ESV): "Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."

Reflection: Take a moment to evaluate the direction of your life. Are there any areas where you need to realign your path to ensure you are walking in God's ways?

Quotes


Far too many people, even Christians, have turned God into a spare tire. We want Him in the vicinity in case life goes flat, so we go to the trunk and take out the spare while the flat tire is being repaired. But as soon as the flat tire is repaired, God is now removed and placed back into the trunk until things go flat again. [00:01:15]

As long as things are not flat, we want Him close but in the trunk, while others want to turn God into a slot machine. They want to pull the lever so they can hear the clinging of the blessing, who do not want to recognize that He created us for a relationship and He wants to oversee us in a rule of ownership. [00:26:55]

He wants to oversee us in a rule of ownership and therefore placing ourselves under His authority. How do you know if you fear God? How do you know you're not just talking a good game? How do you know that this thing is real and not just religious conversation and Christianese? [00:47:52]

He says because of the end of verse 1, you walk in His ways. You fear God with your feet, not with your feelings. You fear God with your movement, not just with your mouth. You fear God with your life, not merely your lips, with your walk, not merely your talk. [01:12:21]

If you want to know if you fear God, see which way your feet are moving. [01:28:29]

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Transcript
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